First of all, it was TGR that filmed Candide over Chad's Gap... and Tanner was a star in Re:session. Many athletes cross lines and film with each other. Regardless, they both have access to solid athletes.
Before this season, I've thought that MSP has had the upper hand with skiing talent caught on film for the last few years. Richard Permin, Sean Pettit, Hoji, Henrick Windstetd and moments of Cody Townsend were not to be matched. Attack of La Nina and Superheroes of Stoke were bangers! So this year's two-year project came with high anticipation... but failed to satisfy my high standards of entertainment. The skiing was still REALLY good. Heimer stepped up to toss cork 7's in lines. But, they blew the story line.. The narration sucked bad and if that old guy they filmed still skis, why didn't we see him on snow? I also can't believe they didn't use Cody's POV on the pinner line that won him line of the year (at least they showed it in the credits). I was disappointed on the execution of the production. Also, losing Pettit is a big blow. BUT, I can't wait to see what they keep doing in years to come.
I've worked with TGR the past couple of years and have a little inside knowledge from that side. Lately I feel that TGR's ski movie has been dwarfed by MSP. Though meanwhile, they've been crushing the Jeremy Jones series. I knew they had the tools, but something has been wrong with the ski side of things...
Dana Flahr was my favorite TGR athlete for a while, but for the past few years, he hasn't performed at his former high level of tossing massive lawn darts and misty 7's off 50ft cliffs. But he still gets A-list heli time... I compare this move to Kobe landing a massive contract past his prime and hurting the Lakers ability to pay for fresher talent. Looking further, everyone knows that Sage rips... but he's taken his skiing to a controlled/safer level than the full throttle that got him here. He still skis over/around exposure, but he won't air out of lines nearly as much. And these days he won't throw tricks unless he's got the young guns pushing him (or trippy his light projections). And before this past season, coupled with an injured Ian Mac, they had to rely on Todd Ligare and Griffin Post to entertain us... but that didn't compare to the MSP Crew or TGR of recent past. Last year's Way of Life was saved by Tim D stepping up and Sammy getting in on some action. Thank ULLER for them! Then came this year...
Production is what won TGR the flick of the year awards at Powder Video Awards and iF3. At the insistence of Blake Campbell, all of the athletes were mic'd up this year. There are tons of audio moments that help you feel like you are there with the athletes. Each mission was fun and not over played. The project as a whole had unity. The addition of McNutt was brilliant, even though I thought his skiing in his Co-Lab entry was better than in Almost Ablaze. TGR executed well on the complete product even after thinking that they didn't have the very best skiing.
And I'm stoked that TGR aims to do with Sammy what they've been doing with Jeremy Jones recently. Sammy is pretty close with Todd Jones and they are ready to take the sport to the next level together. If you saw Sammy's teaser (or his winning realSKI entry), then you know what is about to go down!
Can you tell I'm a fan of this shit!?